Practical Nurse Entrance Essays

The Nursing School Essay: Application Tips for Accelerated Nursing Programs

By Northeastern University Nursing | Published November 5, 2014

In this two part series, Northeastern University brings you application tips for accelerated nursing programs, starting with nursing school essay advice. While not a guaranteed acceptance, following this advice is a great start to a strong application.

Part I: How to Write an Effective Nursing School Essay

When applying for accelerated nursing programs in Boston, some of the best advice for getting into accelerated nursing school we can give you is to know what to expect in the nursing program application processes. Prerequisites, fees and other procedures are included as general admissions requirements, but the application process consists of various components that look beyond academic performance summarized through transcripts and into who the student applying is and why they wish to attend the program. The admissions committee looks through the applicant’s resume, letter of recommendation and personal statement to get a closer look at an applicant. Many nursing schools in Massachusetts require a nursing school essay that the applicant includes about themselves with details like why they would like to be nurse and why they are a good candidate for the nursing program. This allows the school’s admissions committee to get to know you as a potential student and find out what drives you as an individual. It also helps the admissions committee determine whether their nursing school will be a good fit for you as a future nurse and whether you will be a fit for the school.

1. Plan Your Essay

Writing a good nursing school essay is very important to getting your application considered and accepted. To do this effectively, you should spend a good deal of time planning your accelerated nursing school application essay. Highlight the items you want to include in your essay, summarize your personal story and incorporate your qualifications. Start your essay with an attention grabbing first topic statement to start your essay out strong. You want to let the reader get an idea of who you are and what nursing means to you. So plan out what it is you want to include and elaborate from there. Create an outline to work from that includes the below items.

2. Make Yourself Stand Out

Effective nursing school essays express your personality while convincing the reader you are the right candidate for the program. A great way to do this is by sharing a story about yourself or an experience that you had that led you to the decision to apply for nursing school or launched your desire to be a nurse. You want to use your essay as a tool to show why you should go to their school, versus simply stating why you want to go there. Use personal examples to make your essay more candid and attention getting. Share your motivation for wanting to attend that program and what inspires you.

3. Share Your Dreams

Getting into a good accelerated nursing school and earning your degree is essential in making your dreams of becoming a successful nurse come true. Your personal statement should include the long-term goals you have for you career in nursing. If your goal is to help children or if you wish to advance your degree to become a specialty nurse, express this. Admissions committees are interested in hearing what your long-term goals are; goals illustrate that potential students are determined, which can lead to a better performance in school. Be as specific as you can with your goals. Check out our tips on setting education goals for your nursing degree program for some additional help.

4. Show that You Care about People

As a nurse, your job will consist of caring for people around the clock in a positive and friendly way while efficiently taking care of their healthcare needs. It takes a certain type of selfless person to become a nurse, and you want to show you that you are that kind of person. Give examples of times when you went above and beyond to care for a loved one or a stranger. Let the committee know that you are passionate about caring for others. Empathy in nursing is a great quality to have.

5. Explain Your Qualifications

Your academic and work qualifications are recorded for review on your transcripts, test scores and resume. However, those qualifications are only listed and don’t go into detail, which means the admissions committee may not understand what you took out of those experiences. Use the essay as an opportunity to go into more detail about what your education, practice and participation in volunteer opportunities or internships taught you that you can apply to your education at the nursing school. If you are looking for ways to beef up your resume and nursing application with experience, look into these volunteer opportunities in health care in Boston.

6. Tell the Admissions Committee Why You Want to go to Their School

For some applicants, simply getting into a good nursing school is the most important factor. For others, going to a specific nursing school, such as Northeastern University Bouvé College of Health Science, is very important to them. Whatever your reason for applying to that specific nursing school is, you want to include those reasons in your essay. Share stories about your mother who was a graduate of that program or a friend who suggested you go there. They will want to know why you chose them when they are deciding whether to accept you as a student.

By following these nursing school essay application tips for accelerated nursing school on how to write an exceptional nursing essay, you will be getting into the nursing school of your dreams in no time. If you have decided that you want to pursue your degree with one of the Northeastern University accelerated nursing programs, call us today at 1.866.892.3819 or send us your information so we can contact you.

Admissions

Practical Nursing Program Information Sessions are avaialble:

May 3, 2018

June 7, 2018

TIME: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon

LOCATION: Admissions Office

No Appointment is necessary

Postsecondary admission at Blue Hills Regional Technical School is managed by the Director of Admissions and Financial Aid through the Blue Hills Regional Admissions Department. The Admissions and Financial Aid Office is open from 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. to the general public, Monday through Friday. If you have any questions about the admission or financial aid process, you should contact the director by email atmjoyce@bluehills.orgor call the Admissions Department by telephone at (781) 828-5800 x231.

Admission Requirement

Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Resident U.S. Citizens or permanent residents are eligible to apply for admission.

Blue Hills Regional Technical School is not an approved institution by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to provide admission to international post-secondary students. Therefore, international post-secondary students are not eligible to apply of admission or register for the TEAS entrance examination at this institution.

Complete the TEAS Entrance ExaminationAll applicants are required to take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) entrance examination. Applicants must meet a minimum adjusted individual score in each of these sections, in addition to completing the entire application process.

TEAS Reading : 60%

TEAS Mathematics: 50%

The TEAS entrance examination fee is $70.00 charged by ATI. For further information about the application process, TEAS entrance examination dates/times, the process to register for the examination and special accommodations (if applicable), please see our Admissions Process (link).

Complete the Preliminary Application for AdmissionAll applicants must complete the Preliminary Application, and submit all other required application credentials. The application fee is $50.00 (non-refundable).

The application for admission is distributed in one of two ways.

Applicants who take the TEAS entrance examination at the Blue Hills Regional Technical School testing site, the Preliminary Application for Admission is distributed at the testing site on the day of the TEAS exam. The application fee of $50.00 was included in the cost when registering to take this exam onwww.atitesting.com. The applicant was charged $66.00 for the examination, plus $50.00 application fee for a total cost of $120.00.

Students who take the TEAS entrance examination at another approved TEAS testing site, such as PSI, are charged an examination fee, plus additional fees including a fee to send the entrance examination results to our school. Upon the receipt of TEAS entrance examination results sent from ATItesting.com to our ATI Institutional Account, the Admissions Office will mail a Preliminary Application to the prospective applicant. The student must complete and submit the application for admission, along with the $50.00 (non-refundable) application fee and all other required application credentials.

Although February 26th is set as a priority application completion deadline date. It is the preferred date to submit all of required application credentials. The application completion deadline date of February 26th is extended until the quota of all seats is filled in the Practical Nursing Program for the current enrollment period. It is not too late to apply for admission. Placements are available for this fall 2018.

Request and Submit Official High School Transcript with proof of high school graduation accredited by the Board of Education, Official GED (scores needed) or official HiSET (scores needed.)

All applicants are required to submit official high school transcripts. Transcripts must be sent directly from the school, educational agency, board etc. to our school. Student copies are not acceptable.

Qualified students who do not possess an official U.S. High School Transcript, along with a diploma, can:

Test for a U.S. GED or HiSET in their city of residence, or

Submit an official copy of their foreign transcript/board of education results (grades/score results required) from the educational agency to the Admissions Office at Blue Hills Regional Technical School. All foreign transcripts must be translated and evaluated based on U.S. standards. Therefore, another official copy of the foreign transcript/board of education results (grades/score results) must be sent to the Center of Educational Documentation, Inc. The Center of Educational Documentation, Inc. will provide the service of evaluating your transcript based on U.S. high school equivalency as well as provide translation services (if applicable). Contact the Center of Educational Documentation at 20 Park Place # 515, Boston, MA 02116; (617) 338-7171 orwww.cedevaluations.com.

Submit College Transcipt(s) (Optional) Although it is not required to attend college prior to applying to Blue Hills Regional Technical School, applicants are encouraged to submit officially certified transcripts from courses of study.

Submit (1) Letter of Recommendation Select a related professional, employer, former teacher, or clergy member (non-family member) to write the letter of recommendation.

Submit Test of English As a Foreign Language (T.O.E.F.L.) results (if applicable)

Interview with Director of Admissions and Financial Aid and/or designee.

The student must complete the following requirements by registration to enroll in the Practical Nursing Program.

Complete and Document Health Requirements

Provide Proof of Health Insurance

Provide Proof of current CPR certificationby the American Heart Association Healthcare Provider of American Red Cross CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer Certification current through the third week of June of the school year enrolled.

Be subject to a CORI checkprior to the start of class.

Advanced Placement / Transfer Credits

Courses may be eligible for transfer if similar in content and depth to a course/clock hours taught at Blue Hills Regional Technical School. Such courses may include Anatomy & Physiology I & II with labs, General Psychology, Microbiology, Nutrition, Pharmacology, Human Growth & Development. The course must be taken at a regionally accredited/approved school, college or university. A grade of at least 75% or C (or its equivalent as determined by the Director of Admissions and Financial Aid) must be earned in order to transfer the course into the Practical Nursing Program. The following criteria is applicable to transferring course/clock hours into the Practical Nursing Program.

Students must submit their official transcripts to be considered for advanced placement by registration.

Official transcripts not presented for review and evaluation at the time of registration will not be accepted for credit at a later date.

Successfully completed non-nursing courses with a grade of C (75%) or better, if attained within the last five years, may be accepted pending review of course outlines.

Current competency must be demonstrated in Anatomy and Physiology by achievement of a grade of 75% or better on the Practical Nursing Department’s Anatomy and Physiology comprehensive exam.

Successfully completed nursing courses with a grade of C (75%) or better if attained within the last year may be accepted pending review of course outlines.

Cumulative averages do not transfer with students. The grade for approved transfer course/clock hours will be noted on Blue Hills Regional Technical School report cards and transcripts as Tr (Transfer Credit). A new cumulative grade begins with the commencement of a student’s career at Blue Hills Regional Technical School and reflects only work completed as a full-time Blue Hills Regional Technical School student.

Re-Admission

Students withdrawing from the Practical Nursing Program may apply for re-admission. Students must notify the Director of Admissions and Financial Aid. Students must complete the Application for Admission. The Application for Admission is available in the Admissions Office. The individual’s application will be considered for re-admission based upon the approved Admissions Policy of Blue Hills Regional Technical School. Students dismissed for unethical behavior are not eligible for re-admission. All re-admission applicants must submit a written request for a recommendation re-admission letter to the Faculty Committee through the Practical Nursing Chairperson. Upon review of the student’s attendance, tardiness, clinical and academic performance, the Faculty Committee will determine a recommendation for re-admission. The Practical Nursing Chairperson will then submit a written recommendation to the Admissions Department reflecting the Faculty Committee decision.

All individuals seeking admission or re-admission must meet the approved Satisfactory Academic Progress and Attendance Standards.

To assist students in understanding this progress standard, the following list outlines decisions students would make which may affect re-admission with advanced standing.

Openings for re-admission are limited based on space availability.

Every student is required to successfully complete all three modules for graduation.

Practical Nursing students must have a grade of 75 or better in all subjects to be in good academic standing at the end of any module.

The maximum time frame to complete the program and receive federal financial assistance is 1.5 times the program length or 60 weeks. Please keep in mind if you request re-admission and will be enrolled in school longer than 1.5 times the length of the program or 60 weeks, you will be ineligible for financial assistance.

All previous tuition and fees owed to Blue Hills Regional Technical School must be paid in full prior to re-admission.

Admissions Process

In order to apply for admission, applicants must follow the step-by-step instructions listed below. February 26th is the priority application completion date to submit all required application credentials. However, the application completion date is extended until all placement openings in the Practical Nursing Program are full for the current enrollment period. All applicants who take the TEAS entrance examination and submit all other credentials will be interviewed and considered for admission until the quota of all placements are filled in the Practical Nursing Program.

Each candidate for admission is evaluated on an individual basis. Selection is based on the applicant's ability to succeed in the program, grades, experience, interests and space availability. No one is denied admission on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or disability.

Instructions to Apply

STEP I: Complete the TEAS Entrance Examination. The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) entrance examination is required of all applicants. It is recommended that applicants take the TEAS entrance examination at Blue Hills Regional. However, applicants can register to take the TEAS entrance examination at another approved testing location, such as PSI. Whether you are taking the TEAS entrance examination at Blue Hills Regional or another approved testing site, applicants must register to take the TEAS entrance examination atwww.atitesting.com. Please keep in mind that the following TEAS examination sections are required at Blue Hills Regional: TEAS Reading and TEAS Mathematics. It is advisable to check with other testing sites to ensure the required TEAS examination sections are offered at those locations. At the time of registration for taking the TEAS entrance examination, payment is due and payable by credit card only.

Reserve a date and time at www.atitesting.com to take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) at Blue Hills Regional Technical School. The charge is $120.00 (non-refundable) when booking the appointment. The cost of $120.00 includes: $70.00 fee for TEAS exam, plus a $50 fee for the Application for Admission to Blue Hills Regional Technical School.

If you are a first-time user, you will need to set up a new account. Please follow these steps to register for the TEAS. 1. Go to www.atitesting.com. 2. Click on the “Create an account” button, located below the password field in the Secure Sign on area. 3. An ATI secure screen will appear. Fill in all of the fields. 4. Click the “Register” button. You will be directed to your home page. 5. Click on Register for TEAS. 6. Click on Choose a state such as Massachusetts. 7. Click on city and select a city such as Canton. 8. Click Next. 9. Select Test Date and Click Register and follow prompts to finalize registration and payment.

If the TEAS entrance examination is taken at another approved testing site, official scores from ATI must be sent to the Admissions Office. No student copies are acceptable. To request official TEAS entrance examination results, applicants may log on to their ATI account and click on the “My Results tab." Applicants can then purchase a transcript ($27.00) and select Blue Hills Regional Technical School, as the institution to send it to. If assistance is needed to forward results, contact ATI at 1-800-667-7531.

Please note: Applicants must wait sixty (60) days between retakes of the TEAS entrance examination. Applicants should re-schedule the TEAS by contacting the Admissions Office directly and should not register online at www.atitesting.com. The retesting TEAS entrance examination fee is $70.00 and is due prior to the re-testing date. This amount is payable by cash, money order or certified bank check to Blue Hills Regional Technical School. Additionally, TEAS scores are valid for up to two (2) years prior to the student’s start date in the program.

DATES OF THE TEAS EXAM

March 8, 2018

April 24, 2018

May 10, 2018

June 14, 2018

The TEAS entrance examination starts promptly at 8:30 a.m. Applicants are requested to arrive by 8:15 a.m. Late arrivals will not be allowed to enter the testing site to take the exam.

TEAS entrance examination dates are scheduled on a rolling basis until all available spaces for the entering class are filled. Openings are available at this time.Entrance examination dates are offered beyond February 26thto fill placement openings in the Practical Nursing Program for the current enrollment period, if necessary. Openings are available for Fall 2018. Schedule to sit for the TEAS now.

Special Testing Accommodations: A request for special accommodations, along with the necessary documentation must be submitted 30 days prior to the requested examination date to the Director of Admissions. Blue Hills Regional Technical School Postsecondary Programs seeks to provide reasonable accommodations for all qualified individuals with a disability. Blue Hills Regional Technical School Postsecondary Programs will adhere to all federal, state, and local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodation as required affording equal education opportunity. It is the applicant’s responsibility to request a reasonable accommodation for their disability including necessary documentation when they accept admission.

Preparing for the TEAS Exam

Prospective applicants can prepare for the TEAS exam through course offerings or by simply purchasing a study guide or on-line practice tests.

Most prospective applicants purchase the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) Study Manual or the full TEAS Study Package including on-line practice testing. Go to www.atitesting.com to the "online store" to purchase items.

Preparation courses may be available through the Continuing Education Division at Blue Hills Regional Technical School. For more information or to register for the classes, go to www.learnmorebhr.com

Step II: Complete a Preliminary Application for Admission. All applicants must complete the Preliminary Application, and submit all other required application credentials. The application fee is $50.00 (non-refundable).

The application for admission is distributed in one of two ways.

Applicants who take the TEAS entrance examination at the Blue Hills Regional Technical School testing site, the Preliminary Application for Admission is distributed at the testing site on the day of the TEAS exam. The application fee of $50.00 was included in the cost when registering to take the this exam onwww.atitesting.com. The applicant was charged $70.00 for the examination, plus $50.00 application fee for a total cost of $120.00.

Students who take the TEAS entrance examination at another approved TEAS testing site, such as PSI, are charged examination fee, plus additional fees including a fee to send the entrance examination results to our school by ATI. Upon the receipt of TEAS entrance examination results sent from ATItesting.com to our ATI Institutional Account, the Admissions Office will mail a Preliminary Application to the prospective applicant. The student must complete and submit the application for admission, along with the $50.00 (non-refundable) application fee and all other required application credentials to the Admissions Office at Blue Hills Regional Technical School. The acceptable payment method is money order, certified bank check or cash. No personal checks are accepted.

STEP III: Submit All Application Credentials.

It is highly recommended to submit your application credentials on or before February 26th. However, this date is extended until all placement openings in the Practical Nursing Program are filled for the current enrollment period. All applicants who take the TEAS entrance examination before or after February 26th and submit all other credentials will be interviewed and considered for admission until the quota of all placements are filled in the Practical Nursing Program.

Submit an Official Copy of Your High School Transcript of Grades, GED or HiSET.All applicants must hold a high school diploma, General Education Diploma or HiSET. All transcripts from within the United States or from countries outside of the United States must be officially certified and sent directly by the accredited educational institution or the approved educational agency to our Admissions Office.Photocopies and/or student copies are not considered official and will not be accepted.

All documents must have legal name on the transcripts. Please request all schools or agencies to update your records if your last name has changed. All documents must be submitted in English. If the credentials must be translated, the original must be submitted along with the translation.

Foreign Transcripts: All transcripts from outside of the United States must be evaluated relative to the U.S Educational Equivalency. Blue Hills Regional Technical School recommends the Center for Educational Documentation, Inc. for evaluation and translation services (if applicable). To obtain a Credential Request Form from the Center for Educational Documentation, Inc. contact by telephone 617-338-7171 or write to P.O. Box 170116, Boston, MA 02117 or email them at info@cedevaluations.com. Their web site is www.cedevaluations.com. The fax number is 617-338-7101. Official copies of your transcripts are required to be submitted.

College Transcripts (Optional).Although it is not required to attend college prior to applying to Blue Hills Regional Technical School, applicants are encouraged to submit officially certified transcripts from courses of study from high school.

Requirements for Advanced Standing and/or Transferringhours for credit must be requested in writing. Students are expected to submit the same admission credentials, along with official college transcripts, as all applicants. Additionally, applicants must have successfully completed from a regionally accredited/approved school, college or university offering an equivalent course/clock hours similar in content and depth to a course/clock hours taught at Blue Hills.

It is required that applicants requesting Advanced Standing and/or Transferring hours for credit must submit an official transcript and course descriptions from all courses and the clock hours completed. Course/Clock hours not presented for review and evaluation at the time of application will not be accepted for advanced standing credit at a later date.

Recommendation LetterA Recommendation Letter must be submitted regarding the applicant’s character and abilities to be successful in the Practical Nursing occupation from a former teacher, employer, clergy member or a related professional.

Interview.Interviews are required. The Application for Admission must be complete prior to the interview. Complete applications include an official transcript, recommendation and TEAS entrance examination results. Interviews will be scheduled for qualified applicants until the quota of all seats is filled in the Practical Nursing Program. Applicants who successfully passed the TEAS entrance examination will be scheduled for an interview.

TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language. The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is required of all English as Second Language applicants, if applicable. If you have previously taken this examination within the past two years, the examination results can be submitted and applicants will not be required to be re-tested. To register for this test, applicants may obtain the ETS Bulletin and Registration Forms in the Admissions Office.

C.O.R.I. CHECK. All students are required to have a Criminal Offenders Record Information (C.O.R.I.) check done through Blue Hills Regional Technical School. The results of the C.O.R.I. check must meet the Board of Registration in Nursing “good moral character” requirement. See “Good Moral Character Licensure Requirement Information Sheet” available atwww.state.ma.us/reg/boards/rn.

Students receiving C.O.R.I. check results documenting conduct and criminal convictions that will result in mandatory permanent exclusion from initial nurse licensure in Massachusetts (Table 1 – “Good Moral Character Licensure Requirement Information Sheet”) will not be accepted for clinical experience at affiliated health agencies. Students so barred from clinical affiliation sites will not be able to meet clinical course objectives resulting in clinical failure and dismissal from the program and forfeiture of all tuition.